Patent application title: VERTICAL BLIND TIDY

Abstract:

A device for securing the louvres of a vertical blind is provided. The
device comprises a base plate that is adapted for fixing to a surface
adjacent the blind and an integral retaining member which is adjustable
to releasably secure a variable number of louvres against the base plate.

Claims:

1-13. (canceled)

14. A device for securing the louvres of a vertical blind, comprising a
base plate that is adapted for fixing to a surface adjacent the blind and
an integral retaining member which is adjustable to releasably secure a
variable number of louvres against the base plate.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the integral retaining member
is a flexible retaining member, the proximal end of which is fixed
towards one end of the base plate, and the other end of the base plate is
adapted to engage a distal part of the flexible retaining member such
that the louvres are releasably secured against the base plate by the
flexible retaining member.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the flexible retaining member
is a ball chain.

17. A device according to claim 14, wherein the integral retaining member
is biased towards the base plate.

18. A device according to claim 17, in which the retaining member is a
spring actuated rigid member.

19. A device according to claim 14, further comprising a spacer on the
back face of the base plate such that the device is capable of securing
the pull-cord and/or tilt control chain between the base plate and the
vertical surface adjacent the blind.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the spacer is disk-shaped.

21. A device according to claim 19, wherein the spacer is magnetic.

22. A device according to claim 14, further comprising a wall-mounting
bracket which is adapted for fixing to a surface, wherein the bracket and
the base plate are adapted to co-operate such that the base plate is
capable of being releasably mounted on the bracket.

23. A device according to claim 22, in which the bracket and the base
plate are magnetically attracted.

24. A device according to claim 22 in which the wall-mounting bracket
provides channels to house the pull-cord and/or tilt control chain of the
blind.

25. A method for releasably securing a variable number of louvres of a
vertical blind which comprises providing a device according to claim 14
fixed to a surface adjacent the blind and securing said louvres against
the base plate by the use of the adjustable integral retaining member.

Description:

[0001]The present invention relates to a vertical blind retaining device.
In particular, the invention relates to a convenient device for holding
the louvres of a vertical blind in a compressed position against the
window or door frame or adjacent wall.

[0002]Vertical blinds are familiar fittings in residential and commercial
buildings. Conventional vertical blinds generally comprise a plurality of
slats (louvres) disposed vertically from a horizontal track. The track
incorporates a mechanism which permits the blind to be drawn to an open
position in which all of the vertical slats are stacked at one side of
the blind (or half of the slats are stacked at one side of the blind and
half at the other). The blind may also be drawn to a closed position in
which all of the vertical slats are evenly spaced across the opening
(e.g. window or glass door). When drawn to a closed position, the slats
may be rotated in concert to a position in which they are parallel to the
plane of whatever window or glass door they are installed near, thereby
completely blocking the view through the window or glass door.
Alternatively, they may be rotated to a position in which they are
perpendicular to the plane of the window or door, thereby permitting
light to enter through the window.

[0003]A common problem arises when the blind is drawn to the open position
and the window or door with which the blind is associated is opened for
ventilation. In this situation, a breeze blowing through the window or
door rattles or flaps the blind. The resulting noise is irritating and
distracting. In moderate breezes, flapping blinds may knock objects from
nearby surfaces, causing inconvenience or breakage. The movement may
cause the slats to become mis-aligned with respect to one another so as
to require manual adjustment by the user. In more extreme cases, the
traversing and rotating mechanism or the slats themselves may be damaged.

[0004]The inclusion of weights in the bottom end of each slat and the
provision of cords strung along the bottom edge of the blind securing
each slat to its neighbour at a fixed interval go some way to reducing
the more extreme instances of wind-induced movement, but are far from
offering a solution.

[0005]Curtains are an alternative form of window covering. Since each
curtain is, in general, made from a single piece of fabric of heavier
weight than the material used for blinds, the risk of curtains flapping
in the breeze coming through an open window is not so great a problem as
it is for vertical blinds. Nonetheless, it is known to gather a curtain
which has been drawn back to an open position and tether same to the wall
or window frame. This secures the curtain and also draws the curtain
further away from the opening, allowing in more light and gathering the
fabric in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Curtains are commonly tied
back with a length of fabric or cord which is loosely passed around the
curtain with both ends fixed to a hook secured to the wall or window
frame. Fabric tie-backs could be applied to gather the slats of vertical
blind drawn to the open position, but this has not proved popular,
perhaps because such a tie-back is not very convenient in connection with
vertical blinds, nor does it sit well with the more modern style and
clean lines of a vertical blind.

[0006]U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,553, issued to Jensen, describes a vertical
blind retaining device comprising a fixed bracket and a removable
retaining plate. The device is used to secure the blind to window frame,
in compressed position, when blind is drawn back (open). The device
prevents the blind from restricting flow of light through the window.
However, the fixed bracket is large and unsightly and protrudes far
enough to catch on clothing or scratch people passing through an adjacent
door. Moreover, the capacity of the device, i.e. of the number of slats
it can retain effectively, is determined by the size of the bracket,
which is fixed at the time of manufacture.

[0007]It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a
universal, convenient and smart device for securing the louvres of a
vertical blind which is adjustable for optimal retention of blinds having
different numbers of louvres.

[0008]Accordingly, the invention provides a device for securing the
louvres of a vertical blind, comprising a base plate that is adapted for
fixing to a surface adjacent the blind and an integral retaining member
which is adjustable to releasably secure a variable number of louvres
against the base plate.

[0009]The device provides a neat, effective and easy to use mechanism for
gathering the louvres of a vertical blind, when drawn to the open
position, and securing said louvres to the door or window frame or
adjacent wall.

[0010]If the vertical blind is installed within a window or door recess,
the device may be fixed to the vertical surface inside the recess i.e.
perpendicular to the plane of the window or door. Alternatively, if the
blind is installed within the room (i.e. the track from which the blind
hangs is installed above the recess rather than within it), the device
may be fixed to the wall adjacent to the window or door, parallel to the
plane of the window or door.

[0011]The retaining member is integral with the base plate i.e. it is not
intended to be removed in normal use. This makes for an easy to use
device and avoids possible problems of storage and loss inherent with use
of a retaining member that is completely removable from the base plate.

[0012]In use, the retaining member gathers the louvres together and
secures them against the base plate.

[0013]In one embodiment, the integral retaining member is a flexible
retaining member, the proximal end of which is fixed towards one end of
the base plate, and the other end of the base plate is adapted to engage
a distal part of the flexible retaining member such that the louvres are
releasably secured against the base plate by the flexible retaining
member.

[0014]A suitable flexible retaining member is a tape, band, cord or chain.
Most preferably, the flexible retaining member is a ball chain. A
suitable ball chain comprises a cord to which plastic balls are fixed at
set intervals, as known e.g. for tethering together the bottom weights of
the individual louvres of a vertical blind. Metal ball chains, as
commonly used to control the angle of vertical blinds, comprising a chain
of articulating metal ball/rod units are also suitable.

[0015]The base plate may be formed of any suitable material with regard to
rigidity, weight, cost, ease of manufacture etc. Conveniently, the base
plate is made of mild steel or of plastic.

[0016]One end of the flexible retaining member ("the proximal end") is
fixed towards one end of the base plate. The proximal end of the flexible
retaining member is not designed to be detached from the base plate
during normal use; in this respect, the flexible retaining member is
integral to the base plate. The other end of the base plate is adapted to
engage a distal part of the flexible retaining member such that, in use,
the louvres are releasably secured against the base plate by the flexible
retaining member. The means to engage the flexible retaining member are
capable of acting on any point towards the free end of the flexible
retaining member ("the distal part") and thus permit the flexible
retaining member to be drawn to the length appropriate to enclose and
secure any given number of louvres.

[0017]The means for the base plate to releasably engage a distal part of
the flexible retaining member will be specific to the nature of the
flexible retaining member, i.e. the flexible retaining member and the
base plate cooperate to provide a reversible engagement. For example, in
a basic embodiment, the flexible retaining member is a simple cord and
the base plate is provided with a tapering slot so that the cord can be
passed into the slot and pulled into the taper until the sides of the
slot are sufficiently narrow to grip the cord and prevent it from
slipping through. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible retaining
member is a ball chain and the base plate is provided with a parallel
sided slot whose width is greater than the diameter of the cord but less
than the diameter of the balls so that the cord can be passed into the
slot at the desired point and will be prevented from slipping through the
slot because the adjacent ball will not pass through. Other arrangements
are readily envisaged, depending on the nature of the flexible retaining
member. For example, if the flexible retaining member is a chain, the
base plate may be provided with a hook.

[0018]Preferably, the distance between the location on the base plate
where the proximal end of the retaining member is fixed and the location
at which a distal part of the flexible retaining member engages is
arranged to be slightly greater than the width of the louvres of the
blind in order that the louvres can be secured flat against the base
plate when the flexible retaining member is engaged.

[0019]The object of providing a device that is adaptable to securely
retain vertical blinds comprising different numbers of louvres is
achieved above by providing a flexible retaining member whose retaining
length--the length between the fixed proximal end and the point at which
the base plate engages a distal part of the member--is adjustable, i.e.
may be varied by engaging the flexible retaining member at a different
point towards its distal end. The same object may alternatively be
achieved by providing a flexible retaining member formed of an elastic
material wherein the distal end of the member engages with the base
plate, e.g. by a loop on a hook, and the necessary variation in retaining
length is provided by the elasticity of the material.

[0020]The retaining member may be biased towards the base plate in order
to compress the louvres against the base plate thereby retaining them
more securely. In the above-described embodiment utilising a flexible
retaining member, this may be achieved by drawing the flexible retaining
member tightly from its fixed, proximal end, around the louvres, to
engage a distal part with the base plate, so that the louvres are
compressed against the base plate by the tension in the flexible
retaining member. This compressive force may be augmented by using a
flexible retaining member formed of an elastic material. The compressive
force exerted by the retaining member should be sufficient to prevent
movement of the louvres relative to each other and to the base plate at
the site of compression, but not so great as to permanently mark or
otherwise damage the fabric of the louvres.

[0021]In another embodiment, the integral retaining member is a rigid
retaining member biased towards the base plate and capable of releasably
securing the louvres against the base plate.

[0022]The retaining member is biased towards the base plate such that the
louvres are gathered and held against the base plate by the retaining
member. Conveniently, the retaining element is an arm, pivotably mounted
to the base plate towards one end. However, other arrangements may be
envisioned.

[0023]The biasing force is sufficient to securely retain the louvres in
the device when subjected to air currents moving through the open window
or door. Preferably, the biasing force is provided by a spring, e.g. the
retaining member is an arm, pivotably mounted to the base plate and
biased towards the base plate by a spring, thus forming a spring-loaded
clamp. The retaining member and/or the base plate may comprise ridged or
textured areas or a pad of non-slip material in order to enhance the
clamp's grip on the louvres while at the same time protecting them from
damage.

[0024]The clamp is adapted to permit manual release of the louvres from
the clamp. For example, manual force may be applied against the spring to
release the hold of the retaining arm on the louvres. Conveniently, the
retaining member comprises a lever wherein manual pressure on one end of
the lever, against the action of the spring, causes the lever to rotate
about the pivot, thereby releasing the grip of the other end of the lever
(the retaining arm) on the louvres.

[0025]Optionally, the clamp can be provided with a releasable catch to
lock the clamp in the closed (i.e. louvres secured) position.

[0026]It is possible that in certain vertical blind installations the
device of the invention, in particular the clamp embodiment, while being
ideal for securing the louvres when the blind is in the open position,
may obstruct the free hanging of the louvre(s) adjacent to the clamp when
the blind is closed. In particular, this may be an issue when the louvres
are rotated to parallel with the plane of the window. The device of the
invention may be adapted to solve this problem as well.

[0027]Thus, the device of the invention may further comprise a
wall-mounting bracket which is adapted for fixing to a surface (e.g.
window or door frame or adjacent wall), wherein the bracket and the base
plate are adapted to co-operate such that the base plate is capable of
being releasably mounted on the bracket.

[0028]For example, the base plate may be mounted on the wall-mounting
bracket by magnetic attraction i.e. each part comprises a magnet (or one
of the parts comprises a magnet and the other a metal capable of being
magnetised), such that opposing surfaces of the two parts attract.
Alternatively, opposing surfaces of the two parts may be provided with
co-operating shapes, e.g. a dovetail slide, such that they can be locked
together in releasable fashion. This two-piece arrangement permits the
device to be in situ when needed to secure the louvres when the blind is
in the open position, but allows it to be removed when not in use. The
wall-mounting bracket is relatively discrete and reasonably flush to the
wall compared to the complete clamp assembly and so does not foul the
louvres when the blind is in the open position.

[0029]A second wall-mounting bracket may be fixed at a convenient location
nearby to provide somewhere to store the clamp part when not in use.

[0030]Known vertical blind systems comprise control mechanisms for closing
and opening the blinds and for adjusting the tilt of the louvres i.e. the
angle of the louvres relative to the plane of the window. Generally,
these controls are in the form of a pull-cord and a tilt control chain,
respectively. Both cord and chain are in the form of long, continuous
loops that hang down from the track at one end of the blind assembly.
These lengths of cord and chain can become tangled, inconveniencing the
user. More seriously, the loose cord/chain can present a potentially
fatal strangulation hazard for individuals, e.g. young children or pets,
who might get them caught around their necks.

[0031]The device of the invention can be readily adapted to additionally
provide a means to keep the pull-cord and tilt control chain from getting
tangled and hence reduce the risk of strangulation. Said adaptation
further avoids any problem of the device or wall mounting bracket of the
invention obstructing the pull cord or tilt control chain, which might
otherwise occur when the device is situated at the same end of the blind
as these controls.

[0032]Accordingly, the invention further provides a device as described
above which is adapted to secure the pull-cord and/or tilt control chain.

[0033]In a preferred embodiment, the device is adapted such that, in use,
the pull cord and/or tilt control chain pass around a spacer disk on the
back face of the base plate and are thereby secured between the base
plate and the wall. Conveniently, a disk shaped magnet doubles as the
means for mounting the base plate on the wall-mounting bracket and as the
spacer disk, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The vertical location of the
device on the wall or window/door frame relative to the length of the
pull cord and/or tilt control chain is selected such that the cord and/or
chain are held in tension by the spacer disk. In this way the cord/chain
may be operated as normal, but are prevented from escaping, and thus
presenting a strangulation hazard, by the base plate. Preferably, the
diameter of the magnet/spacer is smaller than the height of the base
plate: this prevents possible release of the cord/chain should the device
accidentally be rotated on its mounting from horizontal orientation
through vertical orientation. Preferably, both the pull-cord and the tilt
control chain are secured by the vertical blind retaining device.

[0034]In an alternative anti-ligature embodiment, the wall-mounting
bracket is adapted to provide channels to house the pull-cord and/or tilt
control chain. The channels to house the cord and chain are conveniently
provided by manufacturing the wall-mounting bracket in two halves, each
half having channels on its surface, such that when the two halves of the
wall mounting bracket are assembled and the respective surfaces are
abutted, channels to contain the cord and chain are created. This
construction also has the advantage that it can be fitted to cords/chains
of existing blind installations without the need to break or cut the
cord/chain or dismantle the assembly.

[0035]The invention further provides a method for releasably securing a
variable number of louvres of a vertical blind which comprises providing
a device as described herein, comprising a base plate and an adjustable
integral retaining member, fixed to a surface adjacent the blind and
securing said louvres against the base plate by the use of the adjustable
integral retaining member.

[0036]The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting example
with reference to the appended figures, of which: --

[0037]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vertical blind-retaining device
according to the invention, comprising a flexible retaining member: a) is
a front view of a simple wall-mounting bracket (in this case, a magnet
fixed to the wall); b) is a top view of a device according to the
invention, comprising a base plate, a flexible retaining device (ball
chain) and a magnet for mounting the device on the wall-mounted bracket;
c) is a front view of the base plate (ball chain not shown).

[0038]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a wall-mounting bracket according to the
invention: a) shows the bracket viewed from above; b) is a view from the
side.

[0039]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a clamp according to the invention: a)
shows the clamp viewed from above; b) is a view from the side.

EXAMPLE 1

[0040]A first embodiment of the invention, utilising a flexible retaining
member, is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0041]In this example, the wall-mounting bracket is a circular,
disk-shaped magnet (20). The bracket is fixed to the wall, or window/door
frame, by a screw (21) passing through a pre-drilled hole. The hole is
countersunk so that the screw head does not protrude above the surface of
the magnet.

[0042]Attached to the rear face of the base plate (22) is a second magnet
(23), enabling the base plate to be mounted on the bracket by magnetic
attraction between the two magnets. Either one of the magnets (20) and
(23) may be substituted with a disk of metal (e.g. steel) that is capable
of being magnetised. The base plate (22) itself may be made of metal
(e.g. steel) that is capable of being magnetised, so that only one magnet
is required in order to wall-mount the device by magnetic attraction. In
some situations, it may not be necessary for the device to be removable,
i.e. it may be acceptable for the device to be permanently fixed to the
wall or window/door frame. In this case, the device may be fixed directly
to the wall by a screw (24) passing through a hole (25) pre-drilled
through the base plate (22) and the magnet (23); in this case, the magnet
(23) serves only as a spacer and could be substituted with a non-magnetic
material. Hence, a convenient multi-purpose device of the invention
comprises a metallic base plate (22) and a disk-shaped magnet (23): if a
removable device is required, the magnet is screwed to the wall or
window/door frame and the base plate is mounted thereon by magnetic
attraction; if the device is not required to be removable, both the base
plate and the magnet can be fixed to the wall or window/door frame by a
screw (24) through hole (25), the magnet acting as a spacer between the
base plate and the wall or window/door frame.

[0043]In use, the pull-cord and/or tilt control chain of the vertical
blind can be routed around the magnet/spacer (23) and thus secured behind
the base plate (22). The diameter "d" of the magnet/spacer is smaller
than the height "h" of the base plate, so that the cord/chain cannot be
accidentally released if the base plate is rotated about fixing screw
(24).

[0044]One end ("the proximal end") of a ball chain (26) is fixed towards
one end of the base plate by passing through hole (27) which has a
restricted opening to allow the chain to be fitted on assembly of the
device, but prevent accidental egress of the chain subsequently. The
diameter of the round part of hole (27) is smaller than the diameter of
the balls of the ball chain so that the ball chain cannot be pulled
through the hole. Towards the other end of the base plate is a slot (28)
capable of receiving a distal part of the ball chain. The dimensions of
the slot are such that the ball chain, once placed therein, cannot be
pulled through. The closed end of the slot may be shaped, as shown in
FIG. 1 c) to hinder unintended egress of the ball chain from the slot,
but at the same time permit it to be removed on demand. By providing a
"hole" at the base of the slot whose diameter is slightly larger than the
general width of the slot but smaller than the diameter of the balls, the
ball immediately behind the base plate is pulled into the hole by the
weight of the louvres, thus securing the ball chain at the base of the
slot while also helping to prevent chafing of the cord. For clarity, the
"free" portion of the ball chain which is distal to the slot is not shown
in FIG. 1 b).

[0045]The dimensions of the vertical blind retaining device of the
invention can be scaled to suit vertical blinds with louvres of different
sizes. Blinds having louvres 3 inches (89 mm) or 5 inches (127 mm) wide
are in common use. In one embodiment, the base plate is made from mild
steel and is about 115 mm×40 mm×1.5 mm and the diameter of
the magnet/spacer is about 32 mm (i.e. FIG. 1 is about life-size). This
device is ideally suited to 89 mm blinds, although it will also
accommodate 127 mm blinds.

EXAMPLE 2

[0046]A second embodiment of the invention is exemplified by the bracket
and clamp shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The figures illustrate the specific
embodiment which provides a separate wall-mounting bracket, itself
providing channels to house the pull-cord and control chain.

[0047]In this example, the wall-mounting bracket is a circular, disk
shape. Typically, the bracket might be approximately 50 mm in diameter
and 20 mm thick, although the dimensions will vary according to the size
of the clamp which is dependent on the dimensions of the louvres. The
bracket (1) comprises two co-operating halves (2) which abut along the
plane of the disk. When the two halves of the bracket are assembled,
matching grooves in the opposing faces co-operate to provide separate
channels (3) and (4) to house the pull-cord and the tilt control chain,
respectively. The dimensions of the channels are tailored to provide a
snug fit for the cord/chain which allows free movement without snagging.
FIG. 2 b) illustrates the passage of the channels through the bracket.
The downward and return channels for either cord may be connected by a
channel (5) describing a semi-circular arc so that the end of the loop is
within the bracket. In this embodiment, the tension of the cord may be
controlled by the positioning of the bracket on the wall. Alternatively,
the cord(s) may pass right through the bracket, looping back some
distance below. In this example, the bracket also comprises a steel plate
(6) on its outer face for affixing the magnet attached to the base plate
of the clamp assembly. The bracket is attached to the wall by screws
inserted in pre-drilled holes (7).

[0048]FIG. 3 shows a clamp comprising a base plate (10) and a retaining
arm (11). A magnet (12) is attached to the base plate to enable the clamp
to be releasably mounted on the wall-mounting bracket (1). The retaining
arm is in the form of a spring-loaded clip which pivots about pivot (P)
which is capable of securing a plurality of louvres between the retaining
arm and the base plate. The retaining arm is biased towards the base
plate by the spring (13). The retaining arm can be moved away from the
base plate, and the louvres released, by the user depressing the lever
(14).